Hello! You should be outside Embankment Tube Station, with the picturesque River Thames directly in front of you.

My name is Nicki Bannerman. I have loved writing and telling stories since child...

Now, just walk straight, keeping the river on your left. I'll tell you a bit about the Embankment Station as we walk.

This tube station first opened in 1870. A new building was constructed in 1...

Keep going straight. We will be stopping for some photos of the spectacularly high Ferris wheel known as the London Eye soon, but first I want to share some facts about London and our river.

Th...

The Thames has been used for many famous films. The boat chase scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade was filmed at Tilbury Docks and the opening ceremony scene of the 2012 London Olympics f...

Stop here for a moment. This is a great spot to take a photo of the London Eye across the river. When you're ready, continue walking along the river and I'll tell you more about the eye.

The London Eye was opened to celebrate the new millennium on New Year's Eve in 1999. The height has already been surpassed by structures in Asia and the USA but it is still known as the "world’s ta...

Stop here for a moment. On your left is Westminster Pier. It's an important pier on the Thames because of its location next to Big Ben and the heart of Westminster.

The pier was developed as pa...

Stop here for a moment. Now look up at the large tower and the huge clock directly in front of you – this is Big Ben. Of course it is most well-known for chiming at midnight to celebrate the New Ye...

Here at the traffic lights, turn your back to The Houses of Parliament to face The Houses of Parliament Shop. Now stay safely on the pavement and look just above the arches – careful with the crowd...

Now have a look to your left as you walk straight on. You will have a good view of the Palace of Westminster. It is the meeting place of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords – the two h...

Stop for a moment. There’s a statue of Oliver Cromwell on your left. He led England into a republic to abolish the monarchy and lived in many of the royal palaces but turned down the title of king....

Walk straight for a bit. We're on our way to Westminster Abbey.

Now follow the pavement around to your left to Westminster Abbey.

I'll share a personal story about one of the statues inside Westminster Abbey as you get closer. The Liberal Prime Minister in ...

This is the magnificent Westminster Abbey, once a Benedictine Abbey. When we're done here, we'll be heading along the path to the right. But for now, stop and take a closer look while I tell you ab...

Turn right at the road and walk back in the direction you came from. We're going to cross over to Parliament Square.

Now, take the pedestrian crossing over to Parliament Square.

Let's follow the path around the green area to get to the opposite corner, diagonally across from where you are now. This square has hosted many demonstrations amongst the statues of historic indiv...

Now, cross the road at the traffic lights to walk straight on Parliament Street, away from the Palace of Westminster.

If you look to your left, you'll see some typically British, red phone boxes. Stop for a minute and I'll tell you a bit about them.

These kiosks were first designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott a...

As you walk, I'll tell you a bit more about London. So if you end up in a debate about occasions that happened or didn't happen at Westminster, you'll know what to say.

The ceremonial funeral ...

Stop here for a moment, and look to your left. Can you see the black iron gates and guarded entrance? That's the home of our Prime Minister and his family.

Number 10 Downing Street has been the ...

Keep walking down Whitehall. You may even recall this name if you have ever played the English-version of the popular property board game Monopoly. This street is known for the number of memorial s...

Now, stop and look to your left. These buildings are known as Horse Guards at Whitehall. Horse Guards Parade was built in 1753 for tournaments, including jousting, and it has been used for ceremoni...

As we walk, look up and ahead. Can you see the special Column for Horatio Nelson at Trafalgar’s Square? I love this square where London comes together. It was named after the Battle of Trafalgar in...

Here we are, this is Trafalgar Square right in front of you. If you want to cross the road to have a closer look, please use the pedestrian crossing. Otherwise, just gaze at the wonder from where ...

We are going to walk straight ahead now, under Admiralty Arch. It was commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of his mother, Queen Victoria. The building was completed in 1911 and named after the...

Turn left here. We're heading towards the other side of the Horse Guards Parade. If it's 11am or 4pm on a weekday, you'll be able to watch the changing of the guards. I do hope they are there for y...

Tourists are allowed to walk around the courtyard of Horse Guards and witness the regular changing of the guards twice daily unless they are on state or ceremonial duties. Have a look around as I t...

We are now heading straight up the Mall. This coloured road is like an important red carpet leading to Buckingham Palace, where the monarch has their main residence. Queen Elizabeth The Second is o...

As you walk, have a look at the beautiful park on your left. St James Park is one of the oldest of the royal parks in London and has real pelicans roaming about, a tall fountain and a bridge with l...

Now you can see Green Park on your right. Keep going past it.

I have always been fascinated by this name. It is thought to originate from when Charles II took flowers from the park until the pa...

Now be careful how you cross at the roundabout – please take the safest path. We're going to get closer to Buckingham Palace, so you can peer through the gates if you want.

As you walk, have a ...

So sadly we have come to the end of our VIP walking tour of London… at the most important palace and home in London. It is farewell to you and to our shared tour for today.

But there's a lot mo...